Panel Discussion Hosted by Concerned Citizens of Laguna Woods Village
| By Americans for Safe Access | Published June 2, 2009 |
Panelists will discuss the state of Proposition 215, federal interference, and what local communities can do to make a difference.
Bring your questions and find out at an event sponsored by:
CONCERNED CITIZENS OF LAGUNA WOODS VILLAGE
“ Medical Marijuana – Here, Now – and the ‘War on Drugs’ ”
A forum with distinguished panelists, and audience Q&A. Guests especially welcome, free to all.
Issues Discussed Will Include:
• Prop. 215: what it did, is it working? • U.S. Justice Dept. and DEA attacks and position today
• Effects of MMJ: • Conditions it relieves, side effects? • How it works, how well?
• What did the City of Laguna Woods recently do to make MMJ available here?
• Do you or a loved one qualify? • If so, how can you actually get and use it?
• How does the MMJ issue relate to de-criminalizing, regulating, and taxing drugs?
• Is the “War on Drugs” a lost cause? Is a non-criminal strategy for drug problems more sensible?
• Practical barriers to MMJ from cities, law enforcement, employers, health insurers, and others
• Is new state or federal law needed to effectuate Prop. 215 fully? • How can you lobby for it?
Panelists:
• Just-retired O.C. Superior Ct. Judge Jim Gray, long a leading national voice to de-criminalize drugs. Peace Corps volunteer, decorated Vietnam veteran, prosecutor, appointed to the bench by Gov. Deukmejian, candidate for U.S. Senate as a Libertarian and for Congress as a Republican. Author of books including “Why Our Drug Laws Have Failed” – on sale at the forum, inscribed – endorsed widely, from Milton Friedman and George Schultz, to Arianna Huffington.
• Don Duncan, Calif. Director and co-founder, Americans for Safe Access. Coordinates grassroots efforts to fully respect our MMJ laws and parry federal attacks; seeds local self-regulatory provider alliances; works with elected officials, law enforcement, providers and communities to expand patients’ rights. A leading consultant on MMJ, featured in major media.
• Leslie Keane, Laguna Woods’ City Manager since its creation; veteran municipal administrator, member of a number of boards and policy committees of O.C. and the League of Calif. Cities.
• Bill Schwied, M.D., Masters in Public Health, Board-certified allergist/immunologist, bio-ethicist, long prominent in our community, founder of our People for a National Health Program group, increasingly expert in medical MJ.
• Margo Bouer, R.N. Univ. of Chicago Ph.D. Career psychiatric nurse; research, education and therapy, pre-natal to seniors. New MMJ patient, it immediately helped M.S. diagnosed in 1990. Wife of our former Mayor Bob Bouer, a physician and attorney. Aquadette (synchronized swimmer) for 16 years, competitive swimmer with many medals.
Guest Questioners:
• Rev. Andy Kinnon, minister, labor union local leader, long a MMJ patient and advocate, co-founded social services agency helping other patients, long involved in many of the political and legal issues of MMJ.
• Anna T. Boyce, R.N., long-time MMJ advocate, helped write Prop. 215 and legislative bills on medical MJ – one vetoed by Gov. Wilson, another litigated and struck down in part.
Please bring your friends and loved ones interested in medical marijuana and in the issues it raises to this important forum.
| Date: |
Monday, June 8, 2009 |
| Time: | 7:00 PM |
| Address: | 24232 Calle Aragon get directions Laguna Woods, California 92637 |
